As more than 1,000 employees of the Great Falls Public Schools gathered for the annual convocation in the CMR Fieldhouse, Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau delivered a motivational speech in which she said the state “can’t thank you enough” for doing great things for students everyday.

“You deserve our thanks everyday,” she said. “I am confident that the students in the Great Falls Public School District will help build a brighter future.”

The most important thing schools do, Juneau said, is ensure that each student has an adult that they can turn to.

Developing relationships is one of the most important things GFPS employees do, Superintendent Tammy Lacey said.

“At the end of the day, relationships are what matter the most,” Lacey said. “Every employee must thrive on student success.”

CMR Senior Class President Olivia Flamand told the crowd that her teachers have been her biggest motivators, and she hopes that all teachers are motivated to teach their subject matter.

Teachers and staff returned to school Aug. 24, and students return Aug. 26.